The integration of laptops, smartphones, tablets, and computers is happening quicker that we all expected it to.  While some manufacturers are busy working trying to blur the lines between each type of devices, I feel that others have stake in keeping things separate.  Apple products from laptops, to tablets, to phones all share similar operating profiles – but there is a dynamic gap between them all.  Apple doesn’t want you to own a laptop that can be a smartphone, and they don’t want the iPhone taking the place of the iPad.  There has been some thoughtful separation of these devices for the sake of marketing and strategy. Those who aren’t part of the Apple clan have been seeking out better options, options that will actually let them bridge their devices together.  Tablets still have their share of flaws like the inability to plug in peripheral devices, or even the lack of computing power compared to a similarly priced desktop.  Smartphones also have their limitations, mainly the lack of usable screen space.  Hybrid laptops will be coming out soon and hopefully they will find ways to combine connectivity, versatility, as well as portability while keeping everything nicely packaged in the process. http://createdigitalmusic.com/2013/06/as-touch-and-windows-converge-potential-for-performing-music-live-djing/

Algoriddim’s djay software is something of a small time success story.  If you were rooting for the underdog over the last five years or so, then you were rooting for them.  These were the guys that attempted to do what many though would be impossible, creating a proper DJing program for the iOS and the touch screen devices that it runs on.  It is safe to say that their journey has not been an easy one.  The initial launch of the software revealed its weaknesses in the shadow of the DVS greats like Traktor.  But I believe that without the competition of the big guys, djay could have never been developed to be so great. [embed width="656"]http://youtu.be/q_vstCBVtoA[/embed] During the time that they have existed, there has been a steady supply of challengers who have been attempting to take a piece of their cake.  The One, and DJ Player both have something good going for themselves, since they are offering flexibility in ways that no other system can offer – but djay has the advantage of already being in the market for a longer period of time.  Their second revision is set to be released and of course the teaser videos are already making their rounds. http://djworx.com/teaser-djay-2-for-ipad-and-iphone/

If you want a real mixing option for your iPad setup, you choices are quite abundant.  The easiest option is to not involve any sort of hardware at all and leave it up to a simulated mixer inside of whatever app or program you are using.  Since you have less to deal with physically, you leave your connections and ports open to other gadgets, like a digital instrument or microphone.  The drawback is that the digital mixing station will suck resources from your device.  A hardware mixing option can be looked at in two different ways.  You can both go for a cheaper mixer, and leave much of the work to your software – or you can actually use a decent USB mixer which can control and monitor everything from the mixer itself. The second option has become a much more viable option, since iPad mixers these days are quite capable of performing like a standalone mixer that most DJs use with their digital decks and analog gear.  You also add the ability to add live inputs that your tablet would not be able to support with additional gear.  The truth is that you really don’t need to spend the money and purchase a Traktor Z1 mixer – but doing so leaves you with a product you feel good about. http://createdigitalmusic.com/2013/07/traktor-dj-for-iphone-ipad-are-free-through-sunday-use-them-to-promote-world-peace/

Algoriddim djay is not a name that comes as much of a surprise to anyone who has been in the market for a good DJing and live production app.  In the beginning, djay was only an app that was meant to mimic the way a two turntable and mixer looks.  Most of us were fine with that.  At its most basic level, it allowed us to look at two songs while they were mixed, and commands were easily visible in the corner of the screen.  So what was missing from this app?  Well, many of the people who use the iPad to perform with were already used to other apps that allowed it to be used more like Traktor rather than Serato. The second version of this app certainly brings elements of Trkator to the game – but they also incorporated something that Serato has long since been known for: their colored waveforms.  Another function that was revamped was cueing track selection.  It opens into its own menu where cues can be precisely place as well as labeled with big bright colors.  All in all it is a pretty thought out app – and the best part (in my opinion) is the price.  It’s pretty damn cheap at fewer than ten dollars. http://www.djtechtools.com/2013/07/25/review-algoriddim-djay2-app-for-ipad-iphone/

The New Year has arrived and I haven’t seen any big changes coming from the DJing and production world.  I have seen some very innovative concepts on some old ideas, and likewise I have seen some completely original concepts take off – but nothing on the scale of creating the first turntable or the first scratch.  I think we are far past the point where the discovery of a new sound machine is anything but novel for a short while.  What we will see is the use of more technologies and more of these types of technologies getting along with each other. In the laptop world, Apple and their operating systems have the edge because of reliability.  Whether or not this is actually true is beside the point; they have the name and the branding power that people seem to trust.  Android based operating system need to start getting their act together.  So far, they have done a decent job getting a foot in the door – but they are far from where they need to be to be on par with the types of performance iOS and OSX is offering DJs.  I think that time is approaching but it will need a few more years. http://djworx.com/cross-dj-1-6-ipad-new-year-party-ready/